The Yellow Sea

Name: The Yellow Sea
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Crime
Released: December 2, 2011
Duration: 136 min
Rating: 70

2011

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Generally favorable reviews based on 10 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 40 Ratings

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7.5

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7.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 40 Ratings

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The Yellow Sea

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Movie Details & Credits

Fox World Cinema | Release Date: December 2, 2011 | R

Summary: Gu-nam is a cab driver in Yanji City who leads a pitiful life. His wife went to Korea to earn some money 6 months ago, but he hasn’t heard from her since. He plays mah-jong to make some extra cash, but his life only becomes more complicated and pathetic. One day he meets a hitman named Myun-ga and receives a proposal to turn his life aroundGu-nam is a cab driver in Yanji City who leads a pitiful life. His wife went to Korea to earn some money 6 months ago, but he hasn’t heard from her since. He plays mah-jong to make some extra cash, but his life only becomes more complicated and pathetic. One day he meets a hitman named Myun-ga and receives a proposal to turn his life around by repaying his debt, and reuniting with his wife. All for a price of one hit. Gu-nam crosses the yellow sea and arrives in Seoul. He prepares for his deed and looks out for his wife. However, just before he gets to make his move, his target is murdered right in front of him and he is framed for the killing. Although Gu-nam manages to flee the scene, the police are on his trail. Not only that, the person who ordered the hit is attempting to wipe out all evidence of the crime by eliminating Gu-nam as well as Myun-ga in Yanji City. Now Gu-nam is on the run for the murder he did not commit and chased by those responsible for this mess. [Showbox]… Expand

Director: Hong-jin Na

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 136 min

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Critic Reviews

Mark Olsen

Dec 1, 2011

Na captures at once the fragility of the human body and the deep-rooted darkness of the human soul. The Yellow Sea is easily one of the films of the year for underserved action-heads. Read full review

Manohla Dargis

Dec 1, 2011

A rush of a movie from South Korea that slips and slides from horror to humor on rivers of blood and offers the haunting image of a man, primitive incarnate, beating other men with an enormous, gnawed-over meat bone. Read full review

The Guardian Peter Bradshaw

May 31, 2016

A deafening explosion of energy, gruesome violence and chaos. Read full review

Michael Atkinson

Nov 29, 2011

If anything, Na's film is too much of a good thing, exceeding credibility too often (the punching-bag hero is far too lucky - good and bad - and absorbs a hilarious amount of punishment) in its pursuit of despairing violence. But that's the Korean way, and Na nails down the bottom feeder realism while slouching toward video-game hyperbole. Read full review

David Fear

Nov 29, 2011

Like fellow countryman Park Chan-wook's vengeful epics, this man-on-the-run thriller knows how to deliver a rush; unlike those superior tales of lives on the edge, that's the only trick up its sleeve. Read full review

Maggie Lee

May 31, 2016

The raging stamina, unrelenting violence, rapid-fire editing and truncated narrative all give one no pause for thought or even breath. By the time the central mystery is revealed in a nice twist, it gets swallowed in the messy, anti-climactic end. Read full review

Philip Kemp

May 31, 2016

The Yellow Sea is overkill in every sense. Read full review

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User Reviews

cwilder06

Dec 2, 2013

Another impressive entry in the world of dark Korean crime thrillers. While perhaps not quite as good as Chaser, this film by no means represents a sophomore slump. I can recommend it wholeheartedly to anyone who has been a fan of films like Oldboy, I Saw the Devil, Chaser and A BittersweetAnother impressive entry in the world of dark Korean crime thrillers. While perhaps not quite as good as Chaser, this film by no means represents a sophomore slump. I can recommend it wholeheartedly to anyone who has been a fan of films like Oldboy, I Saw the Devil, Chaser and A Bittersweet Life. For those unfamiliar with Korean crime cinema, you're in for a treat. Unfortunately I cannot think of a Hollywood film in years in the crime/thriller genre that even warrants a mention in the same sentence as the aforementioned so do yourself a favor and give this a watch.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Meth-dude

Aug 20, 2020

Supported by great acting performances, an interesting and surprisingly engaging story, very well made action sequences and a dark and gritty atmosphere, "The Yellow Sea" definitely deserves to be seen.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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